Governor Edwards signed an executive order yesterday, declaring an emergency currently exists for Louisiana’s Nov. 3 election because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Edwards also said he does not support Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s emergency plan for the election because it does not go far enough to protect public health. The emergency declaration, which must be requested by the secretary of state and granted by the governor, allows the state to move forward with emergency plans to support the election and take into account health and safety issues that might affect voting. Without Edwards’ approval, the suggested plan cannot be implemented, even with approval from the Louisiana Legislature.
Edwards says he does not support the plan because it does not follow guidance from public health officials and does not provide for absentee mail-in voting options for people who are at high risk for suffering serious issues relating to COVID-19, those who have been exposed and are in quarantine and those who are caregivers for immunocompromised individuals.
